2013 Heartland Directors' Cut Cabernet Sauvignon

Heartland

Australia / Langhorne Creek / Heartland

Only the finest Cabernet vineyards in Langhorne Creek contributed to Directors’ Cut. The old vine fruit is the cornerstone of this wine's character. The fruit was harvested at night to retain freshness. Initial skin contact was followed by 7 days of cool fermentation with our Rhône isolate yeast and hand-plunging three times daily. Maturation then occurred in new oak hogsheads (both French and American) for approximately 14 months.
The weight of fruit in Directors’ Cut Cabernet Sauvignon showcases how much of Langhorne Creek Ben can fit into one bottle. An almost impenetrable core of fruit is seasoned with dark spice like licorice, nutmeg and anise. The long finish heralds many years of future ageing and assures the palate of great quality. The enjoyment of this fine wine need not be delayed, but age will bring dividends.

October, 2016

James Halliday

Halliday Wine Companion

91 points

Initial cold soak, then open-fermented, plunged three times daily for 7 days, matured for 14 months in new French and American hogsheads. A wine that will please most, but not all; Langhorne Creek cabernet's soft tannins mean discretion where oak is needed, saving money while making an even better wine.

March, 2016

Winsor Dobbin

Winsor Dobbin Wine of the Week

I was all set to write about the excellent Heartland 2013 Directors' Cut Shiraz until I came upon the cabernet sauvignon from the same winery, same vintage, and enjoyed it even more. This is a top-quality cab sav from Langhorne Creek, where you'll find some of Australia's best wine bargains. This looks stylish and expensive - but delivers on only one of those two promises. It is an intense, dark and inky wine from the talented Ben Glaetzer, made from vines that are 40+ years old. It is almost impossibly flavoursome and assertive at 15% alcohol but handling it with ease. It spent 14 months in new French and American oak, but the wood is beautifully integrated. An impressive package and one that will almost certainly cellar well for a decade or more.

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About Heartland

The cool climate of Langhorne Creek typifies Australia at its finest. Heartland grows and selects grapes with the most flavour per acre through careful vineyard management and years of collective expertise. The brilliant Ben Glaetzer gives focus and expression to these flavours in the winery. This results in wines of intensity, texture and balance. The Spice Trader blend and varietal reds offer delightful drinking and attractive, pure expressions of their cool-climate origins. The unique blend of Dolcetto & Lagrein captures the imagination with its freshness and intense cherry fruit. The new Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and harmonious, like its multiple award-winning Shiraz counterpart. Heartland One is a sublime blend of intense Cabernet Sauvignon and lush Shiraz, creating the ultimate expression of Langhorne Creek.

About

Ben Glaetzer has been making wines for over 20 years and his family history is intertwined with Australian wine making, and the Barossa Valley in particular. Indeed it was through the family connection of his uncle Johnny that Ben was introduced to the cool climate growing region of Langhorne Creek. This association has allowed Ben to explore completely new aspects of his winemaking abilities and create subtle, balanced reds with a true lightness of touch. Heartland sources all its grapes from Langhorne Creek, both from its own vines and those of old friends. The multiple awards and critical acclaim Heartland wines have attracted has been a bonus. The true pleasure is being part of one of Australia’s oldest and greatest regions and helping to showcase its great gifts to Australia and the world.